[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.2853 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.2853 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.2853 - **Language:** English ### [c9.2853](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2853) 1) Birth. It is said that the Sun was born to Kaśyapa by his wife Aditi. Mahāviṣṇu begot Brahmā and Brahmā begot Marīci. Prajāpati Kaśyapa was born from Marīci. Several sons were born to Kaśyapa by Aditi the daughter of Dakṣa. They are known by the names Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras and so on. Of these, Ādityas are twelve in number. (Āditya means the son of Aditi). There is a difference of opinion as to who these twelve Ādityas are. According to Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 51, the twelve Ādityas are Varuṇa, Sūrya (the Sun), Sahasrāṃśu, Dhātā, Tapana, Savitā, Gabhasti, Ravi, Parjanya, Tvaṣṭā, Mitra and Viṣṇu. (See under Dvādaśādityas). But in Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 65, Stanza 15, it is stated that the twelve Ādityas are Dhātā, Aryamā, Mitra, Śukra, Varuṇa, Aṃśa, Bhaga, Vivasvān, Pūṣā, Savitā Tvaṣṭā and Viṣṇu. - [Previous: c9.2852](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2852) - [Next: c9.2854](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2854) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Linked texts (2) - [Agnipurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.agni.51) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2853](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.2853) · Pramāṇa